Internet of Things: Increasingly Connected Machines and Systems Shape the Future of Industry 4.0
The Internet of Things (IoT) has been gaining ground in Brazil. Through it, we are changing the way we relate to our home – connecting devices such as TVs, lights, refrigerators and others to the internet; and our cities – with public transport fleets connected and monitored in real time, for example.
Now, innovation also reaches companies with the industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), which goes far beyond the everyday devices used by all of us and encompasses a convergence between information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT), which refers to systems and devices used in the industrial scope.
The IIoT is part of the concept of Industry 4.0, which is still in its infancy in Brazil. According to the Industry 2027 project, from the National Confederation of Industries (CNI), only 1.6% of the 759 Brazilian companies consulted used connected and integrated systems and intelligent processes.
Despite its little use, the sector is growing and the benefits are many. With the application of IIoT, industries have access to more integrated and automated systems, allowing the monitoring of the entire operating infrastructure. Resource savings are also high: according to the Brazilian Industrial Development Agency (ABDI), the large-scale application of Industry 4.0 elements in Brazil would generate savings of R$73 billion per year.
Among the main advantages of applying IIot are:
- improving industry safety levels;
- increased energy efficiency;
- predictive maintenance;
- quick and objective decisions.
From the expansion of the IIoT, the trend is that we have not only houses and cities, but also machines and industries that are increasingly intelligent and independent of human intervention.
Sensors accompany machine functionality
Through the IIoT, it is possible, for example, to obtain real-time data on the operation of machines. In case some equipment works out of standard – such as a sudden increase in temperature – devices connected to the machine transmit the information in real time to the maintenance teams, who can make decisions faster and more accurately.
This is the case of DynaLogger, a wireless sensor that monitors the vibration and temperature of machines, developed by the Santa Catarina company Dynamox.
“The sensors identify possible changes in the functioning of the machines and send the data to a cloud platform. The platform, in turn, generates graphs with this information. If the graphs show an out-of-standard behavior, the system generates alerts for the maintenance sector”, explains Jonas Ieno, CEO of Lieno Tecnologia, Dynamox's R&D partner company.
The use of sensors allows the industry to always be ahead of possible problems. “They allow predictive maintenance to be carried out, which identifies potential problems before they occur. This generates savings in maintenance and personnel expenses, as there is no need for teams to periodically check the machines,” says Jonas Ieno. Currently, DynaLoggers are used in companies such as Vale, Mercedes and LG.
Platform monitors cooling system in real time
Another Industry 4.0 product developed by the electronics engineering company Lieno Technology is Automati, a platform used, for example, at Manaíra Shopping, in João Pessoa. It monitors the temperature, humidity and presence of smoke in the mall's cooling and lighting system.
According to Jonas, with this platform it is possible to assemble customized solutions for virtually any automation and machine monitoring application in remote environments.
“With the use of the system, the mall has incalculable savings by avoiding problems such as fires and short circuits. Any change in functionality is quickly transmitted to the technical maintenance team, which can resolve the situation before any damage occurs”, concludes Jonas Ieno.
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